Remineralization of artificial caries in primary teeth by grape seed extract: an in vitro study.

Background and aims. Promoting remineralization is the ultimate goal of clinical prevention of caries lesion. The present in vitro study aimed to investigate the effect of grape seed extract (GSE) on artificial enamel caries in primary human teeth. Materials and methods. Seventeen human sound primary incisors were sectioned mesiodistally. The tooth slices were placed in a demineralizing solution for 96 hours at 37ºC and 50% relative humidity to create lesions. The demineralized fragments of each tooth were randomly divided into two case (immersed in GSE solution in phosphate buffer for 8 days) and control (immersed in distilled water) groups. The samples were subsequently evaluated using a scanning electron microscope and a micro-hardness tester. Data were analyzed using independent t-test. Results. The mean ± SD micro-hardness values for the case and control groups were 358.6±83.42 and 296.51± 69.41, respectively. Grape seed extract significantly increased the micro-hardness of the lesions (P=0.03). The morphology of GSE treated enamel was clearly different from that in the control group, and there were deposits of scaffolding insoluble complexes on the enamel surface. Conclusion. GSE enhanced the remineralization process of artificial enamel lesions of primary teeth, and thus, might be considered an effective natural agent in non-invasive dentistry.

Effect of zinc sulfate on human primary enamel microhardness: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of zinc sulfate on microhardness of human primary enamel. METHOD: Sixteen sound primary molars were sectioned mesiodistally. For each sample one of the sections was randomly immersed in artificial saliva (Biotene, USA) and the other was immersed in artificial saliva which was charged with 10 mg/5 mL concentration of zinc sulfate supplement (Razak Company, Iran) daily. After 24 days (the expected time to use up one 120-mL bottle) the surface microhardness of enamel was measured by knoop hardness test (KH) with Knoop diamond under a 50-gram load for 10 seconds. RESULTS: The mean (+/- SD) microhardness values (KHV) for the tested groups were 320 +/- 49.45 and 357 +/- 36.35, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between the groups as exhibited by independent t-test (P = 0.023). CONCLUSION: Primary teeth immersed in a zinc sulfate rich solution for 24 days showed higher microhardness values in comparison with the control group.

Dentin dysplasia type I: a case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Dentin dysplasia is a rare hereditary disturbance of dentin formation characterized by defective dentin development with clinically normal appearing crowns, severe hypermobility of teeth and spontaneous dental abscesses or cysts. Radiographic analysis shows obliteration of all pulp chambers, short, blunted and malformed or absent roots and peri-apical radiolucencies of non carious teeth. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of dentin dysplasia type I in a 12-year-old Iranian boy, and the clinical, radiographic and histopathologic findings of this condition and treatment are described. CONCLUSIONS: There are still many inconclusive issues in the diagnosis and management of patients with dentin dysplasia. The diagnostic features of this rare disturbance will remain incompletely defined until additional cases have been described. Early diagnosis of the condition and initiation of effective regular dental treatments may help these patients to prevent or delay loss of dentition.

Comparison of pulpotomy with formocresol and MTA in primary molars: a systematic review and meta- analysis.

INTRODUCTION: There are various studies looking at the effects of formocresol (FC) and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) on pulpotomy of primary molars. This is a systematic review of literature comparing the success rates of MTA and FC in pulpotomy of primary molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study list was obtained using PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Science Citation Index, Iran Medex, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, and also some hand searches contains through dental journals approved by the Iranian Ministry of Health. Papers which met the inclusion were accepted. The quality of studies for the meta-analysis was assessed by a series of validity criteria according to Jadad's scale. Eight qualified studies met the criteria. Terms of clinical outcomes and radiographic findings were evaluated in all studies to assess clinical success and root resorption. Fixed model was applied to aggregate the data of homogenous studies. A random effect model was carried out for measuring the effect size of heterogeneous studies. RESULTS: The overall clinical and radiographic success rates based on the data suggested that MTA was superior to FC (P=0.004) with the Odds Ratio=3.535 and 95% confidence interval (1.494-8.369). CONCLUSION: Primary molars pulpotomy with MTA have better clinical and radiographic success rates than FC. (Iranian Endodontic Journal 2008;3:45-9).